Sermons on Being Thankful In Suffering:

How Valuable Is Being Part Of The Church?

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Dec 9, 2025

If church membership and belonging to the Kingdom of God is valuable then why is church membership declining

How Valuable Is Being Part of the Church? Luke 13:22-30 Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Luke 13:22 And He was passing through one city and village after another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-30

Denomination: United Methodist

How To Avoid Being A Disciple Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Oct 20, 2025

As Jesus continues his journey toward Jerusalem, he makes some statements that reveal just how costly discipleship is.

The Internet is full of information on how people can do certain things: How to repair a specific broken belt on a lawn mower How to balance a budget How to cook a dish How to pay for college There is also a ton of information on how to avoid certain things: How to avoid debt How to avoid phishing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35, Luke 12:15, Luke 9:23-25, Matthew 5:13, Luke 6:35, Mark 6:46, Acts 8:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Navigating The Surprises Of Life

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Aug 29, 2011

God can and will help us change so we can be better equipped to handle change. If we will go all in with God and give our lives to Him, He will help us learn to navigate the surprises of life in a way that brings Him honor and produces something good in o

Navigating the Surprises of Life Intro: How many of you enjoy surprises? I know, I know – it depends on what the surprise is. For example, your tax return comes back with $500 more than you expected – that is a good surprise! Or, back when we used VCR’s… one day you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Preparing For The Best Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jan 31, 2011

In this lesson, we cover the principles for living for Christ, so that we may received the best blessings, even in the worst of persecution.

Introduction: A. I like this picture – Don’t you know that that car never saw it coming! 1. In some respects life is unpredictable and we need to learn to expect the unexpected. 2. When it comes to the Christian life, there is not much that is unexpected. 3. Jesus tried to prepare us ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The King Who Is Our Bread

Contributed by Greg Nance on Sep 28, 2009

Jesus makes the claim that his body and blood are our food and drink if we would live. A look at John 6 helps us see deeply into the meaning of life and suffering and joy.

(The audio of this sermon includes reading John 6 as well as other important content not in the notes) In Greek mythology, King Tantalus was punished in the underworld by being chained in a lake. Its waters reached to his chin but receded whenever he bent down to satisfy his burning thirst. Over ...read more

Scripture: John 6:35-51

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Healed By His Wounds Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Mar 31, 2021

A look at Jesus through Isaiah 53 as a part of a Christmas series

Several have commented to me how it has been interesting to look through baby pictures of Jesus. I’ve enjoyed it and I hope you’ve taken away some good, practical things to do about it. Baby pictures are a look back. They’re kind of fun, looking back at how things were and remembering what used ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Affliction

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Apr 9, 2013

What is affliction and how are we as followers of Jesus supposed to react to those around us who are afflicted?

Today let’s talk about Affliction: 1) a state of pain, distress, grief or misery: 2) a cause of mental or bodily pain, as sickness, loss, calamity, or persecution. You know from your own life experiences what affliction is. If you have never experienced affliction you are a very rare ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:13-19

Denomination: Nazarene

Go Tell It On The Mountain

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 10, 2010

Celebrates the literary insights of James Baldwin, who had died shortly before; the privilege of redemptive suffering on the part of a person or a people participates in the suffering of Christ and of His victory. Includes readings from Baldwin’s writing

Nothing is more full of mystery than this – that the suffering of .a few who are oppressed and injured acts to redeem the many, including the oppressors. And yet nothing is more true than this – that from time to time a person, a people, a race receives the awesome privilege of suffering in such ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

A Hope-Filled Heart Series

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 15, 2011

In this sermon based on a chapter from Max Lucado's book Just Like Jesus, we learn how to have a hope-filled heart like Jesus.

Introduction: A. Peter Robinson, former speech writer for Ronald Reagan, wrote a book titled How Ronald Reagan Changed My Life. 1. Robinson relates a lunch meeting he held with Edwin Meese, who had served in many official capacities within the Reagan administration, including Attorney ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why It Hurts Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jul 31, 2011

When we consider pain, there are three particularly painful areas of life: our relationships, our work and finances, and our health. The pain that we experience in each of these areas of life can be traced to the judgments that God delivered after the fa

Sermon Notes July 31, 2011 FBCam Why it Hurts Genesis 3:16-19 CS Lewis, in “The Problem of Pain,” writes: “When I was an atheist, if anyone had asked me “why do you NOT believe in God, my reply would have been.... PAIN.. [People] cause pain by being born, and live by pain and in pain they ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:16-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Hope Seems Lost

Contributed by Tim Diack on May 27, 2011

This is a message that was preached at our local hospital. You don't have to live very long before your confronted with the reality of pain and suffering in our world. How do we make sense out of life when hope seems lost? A look at how God can work ev

When Hope Seems Lost - 1 Kings 17:17-24 - October 5, 2010 - Hospital Service Today I want to share with you a bit of a story from the life of a man by the name of Elijah. Elijah was what is called a prophet. And a prophet is a man, or a woman, to whom God has spoken in a special way and to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:17-24

Denomination: *other

The Hypocritical Argument Series

Contributed by Ron Henson on Jun 26, 2015

The most common argument against faith is the existence of suffering. If there was a God, there would be no suffering. This argument is hypocritical in that we choose suffering. God gave us the choice, and we chose suffering rather than bliss.

Suffering Romans 1:28 Introduction: 1. Atheists love to play this card, it is their trump card • The Problem of Evil takes the following form: A God that is all powerful would be able to prevent evil and suffering. A God that is all knowing would know that evil and suffering happen. A God ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Problem Of Pain

Contributed by David Dewitt on Sep 1, 2009

One of the ongoing challenges of the Christian life is the issue of pain

The Problem of Pain Mark 5:21-43 August 30, 2009 Morning Service Introduction Driving through Texas, a New Yorker collided with a truck carrying a horse. A few months later he tried to collect damages for his injuries. "How can you now claim to have all these injuries?" asked the insurance ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Church Of God

The Jesus Followers Guide

Contributed by Terry Cavanaugh on Aug 28, 2010

An honest look at following Jesus

Good morning Calvary, are you ready for the word of God. We will be looking at Ephesians 3:1-13 today. As you find this passage in your Bibles I want to confess to you when I began my ministry over 28 years ago, I was clueless. I had no idea what ministry involved. I did not really know all ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

Peter's Description Of The Victorious Christian Life. Series

Contributed by Stuart M Guthrie on Aug 9, 2012

Today we talked about living the Victorious Christian life, by showing our desire for the Attitude of Jesus, showing our desire for Gods will and showing our desire for the eternal hope.

1 Peter 4:1-6 (Peter’s description of the victorious Christian Life) August 7, 2012 Introduction: Prayer: Well I hope that you all had a wonderful week and I hope that as we look at this passage this morning that you would be ever the better. We have been studying through 1 Peter now for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational